Identificación y análisis de patologías en puentes de

Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
Identification and analysis of pathologies in bridges of urban and
rural roads
Identificación y análisis de patologías en puentes de carreteras
urbanas y rurales
Nilson Tadeu Mascia*1, Artur Lenz Sartorti**
* Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP. BRAZIL
** Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo (UNASP). BRAZIL
Fecha de recepción: 04/ 12/ 2010
Fecha de aceptación: 06/ 03/ 2011
PAG. 05 - 24
Abstract
A concern with a great number of bridges with significant pathological problems was the motivating factor to carry out this research. Small and medium
size bridges have significant relevance for the economic and social development of the country, because they must ensure the transit of people, vehicles
with raw material and local produce. However, the precarious conditions of bridges in the urban and rural areas make the displacement difficult, causing
discomfort and unsafety for users. Furthermore, the transportation costs for producers and the maintenance for the local government continue to increase.
This article intends to show the conservation conditions of small and medium sized bridges in the urban and rural region of Campinas (SP)-Brazil. Thus, this
study is based on the analysis of four bridges of this region, in which is presented several examples in situ of the pathological manifestations in concrete,
steel and wood bridges. This article also focuses on the design of bridges and its relationship with the pathological condition establishing concepts that could
be applied to the corrective method and the pathology identification in concrete, steel and wood bridges. Finally, it aims to conclude that the most appropriate
way to avoid a pathological state is preventive maintenance.
Keywords: Bridges, pathology, concrete, steel, wood
Resumen
La preocupación con un gran número de puentes con importantes problemas patológicos fue el factor de motivación para llevar a cabo esta investigación.
Puentes de tamaños mediano y pequeño tienen relevancia significativa en el desarrollo económico y social del país, pues deben garantizar el tránsito de
personas, vehículos, materias primas y productos locales. Sin embargo, las precarias condiciones de los puentes en las zonas urbanas y rurales hacen difícil
el desplazamiento, causando incomodidad e inseguridad para los usuarios. Por otro lado, los costos de transporte para los productores y el mantenimiento
para los gobiernos localees continúan aumentando. Este artículo tiene la intención de evaluar las condiciones de conservación de puentes pequeños y
medianos en la región urbana y rural de Campinas (SP)-Brasil. Así, este estudio se basa en el análisis de cuatro puentes de esta región, en los que se presentan
varios ejemplos sobre el terreno de las manifestaciones patológicas en puentes de concreto, acero y madera. Este artículo también se centra en el diseño
de puentes y la relación con su estado patológico estableciendo conceptos que podrían aplicarse al método correctivo y a la identificación de la patología
en puentes de concreto, acero y madera. Por último, el objetivo es concluir que la forma más adecuada para evitar un estado patológico es el mantenimiento
preventivo.
Palabras Clave: Puentes, patología, concreto, acero, madera
1. Introduction
The importance of bridges for the development
and human relationship has been the main reason for the
advance impulse in knowledge of construction and
maintenance of these structures.
1 Autor de correspondencia / Corresponding author:
E-mail: [email protected]
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In general the initial purpose of a bridge is to
transpose an obstacle and then the continuation of the
road. Nevertheless, taking into account technical literature
on bridge classifications, it is necessary to consider several
design aspects, such as transposed obstacles, side view,
number of clear span, bearing area constituent material,
traffic nature, etc.
In general, it is acknowledged, technically, that
there is an emphasis on large bridges with complex
structural systems, without a proper consideration to the
small and medium sized bridges. However, thousands
of small bridges connect many people, offering them an
access opportunity to necessary resources and a flow of
production.
Unfortunately, it is possible to notice that a
majority of rural and urban bridges presents critical
pathological conditions, offering risks to society´s safety
and producing financial losses.
This article aims to collaborate on the pathology
identification task in small and medium sized bridges.
For this purpose, it is necessary to review the issues
related to bridge designs and pathologies in wood, steel
and concrete structures. The exemplification work on
bridge pathology identification is presented along with
a case study of four bridges in Campinas (SP) region in
southeastern of Brazil.
2. Bridge design preparation
Bridge designs are characterized by complexity
and information that should be synthesized by the
designer. Thus, in great and special designs, a
multidisciplinary team is required. The quality of a bridge
can be measured with respect to its functional, structural,
economic and esthetic success. Therefore, a professional
need for transportation, architecture, structure,
geotechnical engineering, topography, hydraulics and
other specialists are necessary for each project.
When observing the structural aspect, it is
noticed that the adequate bridge structural design is of
major importance, as this will interfere with its feasibility,
cost, functionality and aesthetics. However, structural
efficiency is not always considered as a quality, but as
a prerequisite for a correct design compared with other
characteristics such as functionality, hydraulics,
geotechnical engineering and aesthetics.
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
In the design of a road bridge, design values of
actions, ultimate and serviceability limit states should
follow in accordance with the Brazilian code ABNT:
NBR 8681 (2003) in which, for instance, the classification
of actions is made for exceptional, variable and permanent
ones. According to ABNT: NBR 7187 (2003) on reinforced
and pre-stressed concrete bridge design and execution,
the active actions within bridges are presented with these
three action groups with features related to the design of
bridges.
When active actions are determined by
calculating routines, internal forces and resistant section
are verified in the design procedure taking into account
local and global effects.
The determination of internal forces in bridge
structures is not an easy task and demands experience
and skill of the engineer. The knowledge of structural
static in conjunction with action combinations allows
the designer to determine loading distribution.
Liebenberg (1993) also states that even with
data processing and computing updates, structural analysis
interactive processes such as finite element method
enabled designs of bridges to become more realistic and
substituted numerable and difficult calculations.
Hambly (1990) described sizing calculations
such as checking the set of equilibrium equations, in
total or part of structure, checking each section resistance
and checking serviceability condition and second-order
effects.
After sizing and detailing each step, the
constructive method selection should be the main concern.
Bridge building and assembly require very
careful studies. In this particular study, all step-by-step
actions to be performed must be considered in order to
guarantee the safety aspects of the construction, according
to Pinho and Bellei (2007). Another concern is the
resource allocation on the construction method, as
Liebenberg (1993) highlighted, because the construction
method is a very important factor on bridge structural
solution choices. There are several construction methods
for superstructures such as in situ concrete, precast
concrete elements and successive spans.
3. Structural pathologies
According to Ripper and Souza (1998),
what is designated for Structural Pathology is the
Building Engineering field that studies origins,
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Nilson Tadeu Mascia, Artur Lenz Sartorti
manifest forms, consequences and mechanisms of
failure occurrence and structure damage systems.
Also, the Engineering area which leads with pathologies
is a part of it that studies systems, mechanisms, causes
and origins of civil construction failures, i.e., that studies
the parts which compose the problem diagnosis.
Structural pathologies presented with bridges
vary in intensity and incidence, may times causing high
costs for their correction, as commented by Raina (2003).
Under a similar aspect, there will always be aesthetics
committal and often, resistance capacity reduction,
sometimes leading to a partial or total structure failure.
With the constant increase in the structural
pathological problems, Structure Pathology has been
searched, not only for the pathology systematization but
also the promotion of new technical conceptions. New
concepts, not so widespread until recently, are the
performance, durability, environment, conformity, service
life cycle and maintenance.
It is possible to define material life cycle as the
period when its chemical and physical characteristics
remain above the minimal limits specified for its function.
Its life cycle may be extended significantly with a correct
program of structural maintenance.
Structural pathology study envelops a detailed
problem analysis, describing its causes, manifest forms,
occurrence mechanisms and structural maintenance and
prophylaxis. With a correct case estimate, it is possible
for the involved professional to define one of the four
common therapeutic measures in case of a pathological
condition. According to Sartorti and Mascia (2010)
therapeutic is responsible for studying these problem
corrections and solutions. It is agreed that, for a correct
choice and therapy appliance, there should be a detailed
study showing the real diagnosis for the pathology origin.
In Table 1, therapies are shown to be adopted, according
to the case. Maldonado et al. (2009) also argued that a
correct evaluation of the events occurring in the structure
leads to an intervention that will depend, among other
factors, the materials available, cost of labor and time
limit.
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
Tratamiento/Treatment
Característica/Characteristic
Recuperación
Se entiende como recuperación la ejecución de procedimientos necesarios para la recobrar la capacidad resistente y soporte de la estructura
Recovery
As a recovery, it is understood as the necessary procedures for the bearing and strength capacity recovery of structure
Restauración
Es una intervención que sólo restablece las condiciones estéticas de la estructura
Restoration
An intervention that only reestablishes the esthetical conditions of the structure
Reforzamiento
Corresponde a las actividades para aumentar la resistencia de la estructura o su capacidad de soporte
Reinforcement
It is the promoted activities for the structure resistance increase or bearing capacity
Limitación de vida útil
Esta opción debe ser adoptada cuando el tratamiento de recuperación no es económicamente viable
ServiceabilityLimitation
That option must be chosen when the recovering therapy is not economically viable
Demolición
Es el tratamiento extremo, puede variar desde la demolición parcial de la estructura hasta su completa demolición
Demolition
The extreme therapy can vary from a partial to a complete structure demolition
Tabla 1. Tratamientos comunes para estructuras de concreto reforzado
Table 1. Common treatments for reinforced concrete structures
3.1 Reinforced and pre-stressed concrete pathologies
Concrete, the way it is used, has an unstable
nature over time, occurring some chemical and physical
alterations in its characteristics due to its component
properties and their reactions to impositions created by
the environment where the structure performs its functions.
There are several factors that influence the final
concrete behavior, the most relevant for the pathology
study within pre-stressed and reinforced concrete structures
are: material quality; water/cement ratio (w/c);
environment; actions and the quality in the civil
construction process.
3.1.1 Pathology causes in concrete structures
In the damaged structure analysis, the pathological
cause acknowledge has constituted of indispensable
importance with a correct treatment, necessary to guarantee
the post-recovering pathology minimization. The causes
of deterioration of structures can be divided into two large
groups, as discussed in Ripper and Souza (1998). Those
are intrinsic and extrinsic causes.
The intrinsic causes are those that reside in the
structure itself. They have their origin into the structure
components and materials. These causes are generated
by human error at the execution and/or use phase, and
by external and natural agents like chemical attacks and
even accidents. Yet the extrinsic causes are those that are
independent of the structure itself, as well as of its
composition or failures due to the execution. They can
be understood as factors attacking the structures, “from
the outside-in”, during its whole conception process,
execution or design service life.
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3.1.2 Formation and manifest mechanisms of pathologies
in pre-stressed and reinforced concrete
a) Cracks
Cracks are due to a deformation caused by the
mechanical or environmental loading in a pre-stressed
or reinforced concrete piece, may have its origin from
various factors, such as: tension and compression cracks
by bending (a critical state of fragile collapse); cracks
caused by shear came from a shear or twist (according
to Fusco (2008), it is a critical state of fragile collapse);
cracks caused by the concrete creep; cracks caused by
shrinkage; cracks caused by thermal and hygroscopic
strains; cracks caused by deficiencies in support equipment
positioning and teeth joint details.
The openings can present different dimensions
and designations according to Raine (2003). Through
their magnitudes, they can be listed and shown in
Table 2. Some comments are described as follows:
corrosion of concrete
The concrete corrosion particularity is the
deterioration where reactions are only chemical and not
electrochemical, being able to occur in three ways:
leaching, ionic reaction, and expansion. Lourenço et al.
(2009) draws attention to microbiological corrosion as
an important corrosion cause in bridges and viaducts.
The genetic and physiological existing variability among
micro-organisms, especially bacteria, allows determined
groups to be installed into special structures, causing
damages.
corrosion of steel reinforcement
Aggressive environments, high porosity, high
capillarity, deficiency in cover thickness, construction
materials with problems and severe cracking are, according
to Perdrix (1992), predominant factors a of corrosion of
steel reinforcement.
The steel corrosion, according to its manifest
form, can be classified as shown in Figure 1.
As concrete presents a high calcium hydroxide
concentration, a considerable alkalinity occurs, being its
pH 12.5. Carbon dioxide, which is responsible for
carbonation reaction, reduces concrete pH, depassivating
steel and facilitating an attack of deleterious substances.
The penetration speed of carbonation front is a direct
function of material permeability and cracking. The
relation w/c that determines the concrete specific
permeability and the cover thickness can have an influence
in the carbonation speed, which is verified by Table 3.
(Helene and Pereira, 2007).
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
Tipos de abertura/Opening Types
Tamaño/Size
Fisura capilar/Capillary Cracks
menor a 0.2 mm/Less than 0.2 mm
Fisura/Cracks
desde 0.2 mm a 0.5 mm/from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm
Surco/Split
desde 0.5 mm a 1.5 mm/from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm
Ranuras/Slit
desde 1.5 mm a 5 mm/from 1.5 mm to 5 mm
Fracturas/Fracture
desde 5 mm a 10 mm/from 5 mm to 10 mm
Brechas/Breach
mayor a 10 mm/more than 10 mm
Tabla 2. Dimensiones de las aberturas de grietas, surcos, ranuras, fracturas y brechas
Table 2. Opening dimensions of crack openings, splits, slits, fractures and breaches
Penetración en el tiempo, años /Penetration time in years
Cubierta/Cover (mm)
5
10
15
20
25
30
0.45
19
75
>100
0.50
6
25
56
99
>100
>100
0.55
3
12
27
49
76
>100
0.60
1.8
7
16
29
45
65
0.65
1.5
6
13
23
36
52
0.70
1.2
5
11
19
30
43
Relación/Relation w/c
>100 >100
>100
Tabla 3. Penetración del frente de carbonatación en el hormigón de cemento Portland
Table 3. Carbonation front penetration in Portland cement concrete
Yoris et al. (2010) also commented that the
carbonation is significant in structures located in industrial
environments and are subject to cycles of wetting and
drying.
One of the preventive and corrective measures
is the cathode protection with sacrificial anodes; however,
Pereira (2009) point out that an adequate conception
and sizing of the cathode protection systems as well as
the appropriate anode periodic inspection, own a great
importance for protection system efficiency and
performance. This inspection should take into
consideration the design life system because, with the
system working, the anodes will wear out until total
consumption, allowing the emergence of a corrosive
processes.
b) Chemical reactions
In addition to the chemical reactions necessary
for the hydration of cement compounds hydration, which
induce shrinkage strains, there can be deleterious reactions
such as expansive reactions. Mehta and Monteiro (2008)
noted that he most common ones of that kind are: alkaliaggregate reaction; alkali-dolomite reaction; calc-sodic
feldspars, sulphate attack.
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c) Damage provoked by vehicle collisions and fire
Vehicle collision against bridge structures
produce very high and extreme loadings of difficult sizing,
causing sharp deformation and damages such as cover
thickness detachment and steel reinforcement bar
exposition, demands a maintenance program for such
repairs (El Debs and Takeya, 2003).
Yet fire study is more common, having a good
material quantity referring to the subject. At the reinforced
and pre-stressed concrete structures, fire produces a great
deleterious action. Material heating provokes a volume
increase generating strong internal stresses, causing
concrete deformation, cracking and breakdown of the
concrete.
Helene and Pereira (2007) noted that the degree
of change that can be produced in a concrete and its
components when the action of fire, will depend mainly
on the level of temperature reached, exposure time and
composition of the concrete. Mehta and Monteiro (2008)
also highlighted that a more permeable concrete will
provide a level of deterioration less than a concrete more
compact because it allows the steam of water retained
in the capillaries and voids of the matrix.
d) Pre-stressed concrete deterioration
Pre-stressed concrete elements can still suffer
deleterious action of some well-known and quantified
factors according to Cauduro (2003): adherence loss
between tensioned steel and concrete; pre-stressing steel
relaxation; concrete retraction; concrete creep corrosion
under pre-stressing steel tension; passive steel
reinforcement bar deficiency at anchoring.
3.2 Wood Bridges
According to Wood Handbook (1999), at the
beginning of the twentieth century, most of the North
American bridges were made of wood. In the 1990s,
there was a national campaign to restore and enable
them to elevate their loading capacity.
Calil et al. (2003) highlight that the wood
durability – once it is performed correctly the processes
of drying and preservation – along with modern techniques
of use, can produce structures in Brazil that last for 50
years or more of use. Indeed, the construction market
requires products of good performance, low cost, esthetic
value and “green” from an environmental point of view.
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
3.2.1 Interference factor in the structural performance
of wood
According to Porteous and Kermani (2008), the
essential factors which influence wood properties are
anatomical factors (density, fiber angles, nodes, wood
natural failure, presence of pitch and parenchyma bend);
environmental and use factors (moisture and failures
caused by biological attacks, drying and processing
defects).
3.2.2 Mechanisms of pathological formation and
manifestation in the wood structures
The manifestation of wood pathologies is closely
related to the environment where the wood is situated
and the drying process that has occurred. Although it is
susceptible to deterioration, its durability is proved through
proper techniques of prevention and can be mentioned
examples of wood pieces with more than 2000 years in
Egyptian monuments, according to Dinwoodie (2000).
The process of drying wood, accordance with
the Montana handbook (2000), is of relevant significance
because it presents the following advantages: decrease
of its self weight; increase of mechanical resistance; wood
contractions occur before its use; a rise of resistance
against fungi, bacteria and insects; improved bond
resistance; greater bonding ability; warping and splits
generally occur when drying; paintings, varnishes and
lacquers can only be applied after drying.
In addition, a wood characteristic which deserves to be
highlighted is its own anisotropy, responsible for different
elastic and resistant properties according to the direction
of load application related to the fibers, according to
Stalnaker and Harris (1997). Wood deterioration is a
process that changes significantly its properties. According
to Calil et al. (2008), in a simple way, the causative agents
of pathology can be classified in biotic agents and abiotic
agents.
a) Biotic agents
Represented specially by microorganisms
as fungi and bacteria; Coleopteran (Beetles and
borers) and Isopteran (terminates) insects; and
marine borers (mollusks and crustaceans). Biotic
agents need some conditions in order to survive, such
s temperature, oxygen, moisture and proper source of
food that is wood (Montana handbook, 2000).
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The essential pathological effects of these agents are rot
and insect infestation that, depending on the ability of
each organism, may occur isolated attacks by only a
single type or by a group of terminates (organisms which
have wood as food).
ABNT: NBR 7190 (1997) establishes risk
situations for wood biodeterioration. Designers must
indicate a proper procedure for each situation. According
to Calil et al. (2003), four preservatives are responsible,
in general, for about 80% of treated wood, which are:
creosote, pentachlorophenol, CCA (chromium salt –
copper – arsenic) and CCB (chromium salt – copper –
boron).
b) Abiotic agents
According to Calil et al. (2003) abiotic agents
include physical, mechanical, chemical and climatic
agents. The essential pathological mechanism of wood
considering the abiotic agents are: warping and splits
provoked by moisture variations; mechanical abrasion;
corrosion of metal parts; photochemical degradation;
deterioration due to higher temperatures; pathologies
caused by excessive deformity and instability; wood
removal; initial fractures and damages caused by fire.
3.3 Steel bridges
Davison and Owens (2003) observed that the
structural steel as a metallic alloy composed mainly of
iron and small amounts of carbon (from 0.002% to 2.0%)
with resistance and ductility properties. Additives and
special alloys are widely used and are steel engineering
specialties. In addition to the types of pathologies present
in steel structures, described as follows, Pinho and Bellei
(2007) observe that composite structures (beams and
plates), made by steel and concrete, used widely in
construction of small and medium bridges, also have to
verify the integration between concrete and steel, i.e.,
the connections.
3.3.1 Mechanism of pathological formation and
manifestation in steel structures
a) Steel corrosion
Pannoni (2004) states that the steel corrosion
phenomena involve a great variety of generating
mechanisms that can be combined in four groups: corrosion
in aqueous environment (90%); oxidation and hot corrosion
(8%); corrosion in organic environments (1.8%); corrosion
by liquid metals (0.2%). The most frequent cause of
deterioration in metal structures is the steel oxidation. The
corrosion of steel structures is shown by Figure 1.
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A
B
Corrosión uniforme
Uniform corrosion
Corrosión irregular
Irregular corrosion
Corrosión localizada
Localized corrosion
Formación de hoyos
Pit formation
Grietas
Cracking
Figura 1. Tipología de la corrosión del acero. (A) vista superior, (B) vista lateral
Figure 1. Steel corrosion typology. (A) superior view, (B) side view
The means commonly applied to avoid steel
oxidation is painting, which should be applied at
maximum intervals of 5 and 10 years, depending on the
environment. The criteria for the application of paintings
are presented by Pfeil and Pfeil (2009). In addition to
painting, it is essential to provide with an adequate
drainage, preventing water accumulation in any part of
the structure.
The oxidation level can be classified in three
categories:
superficial – only superficial oxidation, with no
reduction of the section area;
medium – definitive corrosion areas appear, creating
small layers;
severe – advanced corrosion, penetrating into steel
that may lead to the perforation of the part.
In marine areas, pieces located in part of tide
fluctuation, or subjected to irregular wetting are more
attacked. The heads of bolts and welded parts are more
prone to corrosion.
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b) Deterioration caused by overload
Parts subjected to very high stresses can reach
their limits of yielding, producing visible permanent
deteriorations that are named of plastic deteriorations
according DNIT (2004).
c) Deteriorations caused by lack of bracing
Lack of bracing in steel structures can lead to
transverse displacement of extreme severity, leading to
collapse by buckling. Another phenomenon related to
lack of bracing is excessive vibration (Rodrigues, 2008).
d) Deteriorations caused by thermal effects
According Pfeil (1983) temperature variations
act on the structures causing movements of stretching
and shortening. When these movements are stopped by
the support, there are high stresses in the material that
may exceed the yielding limit, especially in hyperstatic
structures, resulting in plastic strains. This effect is reduced
by gaps between supports and connections, and also
using support equipments in adequate condition.
e) Damage caused by the effect of fire
High temperatures above 100°C, according to
Pfeil and Pfeil (2009) tend to eliminate the yielding limit
of the material making the diagram stress-strain curve,
also occurring a great variation of elastic modulus.
Temperatures above 250 and 300°C, according to Silva
(2001), cause creep in steels, therefore a thermal treatment
is the best way of increasing the resistance time of an
element in a fire situation.
f) Cracks caused by fatigue and/or stress concentration
Some inadequate details produce large stress
concentration in metallic parts, which may create cracks
in the metal. Some examples are: re-entrant corners in
acute angle; sharp changes in plate’s width or thickness;
welds concentration.
Fissures or cracks of fatigue occur in structures
subjected to cyclic loading as in case of bridges. These
variations in loading cause strong oscillations in stress
that cause fissures and cracks. At stress concentration
points, the effects of fatigue are more acute. Ruptures
caused by fatigue are dangerous and fragile and some
factors that may cause cracks and fissures by fatigue are:
high frequency heavy truck traffic; large-scale in stress
variation; material quality; weld quality; age and history
of loads on the bridge.
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
g) Failures in welding
The failing in welding, either by poor
performance or by inadequate material, can provoke
severe damages to structure that can cause fragile rupture.
h) Damages caused by excessive vibrations
The use of floor structures with large span
and reduced damping can result in vibrations that
cause discomfort. ABNT: NBR 8800 (2009) indicates
that the vibration problem must be considered in
the structural design through dynamic analysis.
The deleterious effects of vibration can be turned into
discomfort to users and a risk of structure rupture by
cyclic effect generating fatigue.
3.4 Other sources of pathologies in bridges
In bridges, there still can be observed
pathological situations in their elements or in the structural
set as a whole independent from the material in which
their structure is made. The more common pathologies
are: problems in foundations and joints; vertical movement
of the structure as a whole; rotational movement of the
structure as a whole; wear and defects on the roadway;
joints with insufficient space or in inappropriate conditions;
changes in water courses leading to erosion and outbreak
of the foundations; problems with maintenance of the
support equipments . (DNIT, 2004).
3.5 Structural maintenance and inspections of bridges
Maintenance and inspection of bridges have
been the concern of public and private agencies as is
common consent that these measures minimize losses
with major reforms and also with accidents. Commenting
on ABNT:NBR 9452 (1986), code on inspections of bridges
and concrete viaducts, Sartorti and Mascia (2010) state
that the current form does not meet the completeness
which is required when carrying a satisfactory inspection.
It does not cover items considered relevant and frequent
in bridges and viaducts, because of this restrains and
undermines the inspection, hiding valuable information
relevant to the stability of the structure. In light of this
reality, it is possible to appeal using this as an alternative
source in addition to the DNIT code (2004).
There are at least five classifications for inspection in
conformity with the DNIT (2004) which include registration,
routine, special, extraordinary and intermediary inspections.
Based on the data collected, there must be adopted a
structural maintenance program which aims at increasing
useful service life and cost reduction as a possible
intervention to correct said pathologies.
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4. Identification of bridge structural
pathologies in the region of
Campinas - SP
The correct pathology diagnosis will reveal not
only the causes but also the responsible individuals whose
identification will be necessary for legal purposes.
The diagnosis of any kind of pathologies must be based
on a deep structure analysis and an adequate knowledge
of mechanisms of formation and manifestation of
pathologies.
This research attempts to carry out visual
inspections on nine bridges of urban and rural road
collectors in Campinas-SP, Brazil. This article presents
the collected data on four of those bridges. Table 4
highlights the main characteristics of each bridge analyzed.
Puente
Bridge
1
Sistema estructural de la súper-estructura
Structural system of the superstructure
Vigas/Beams
2
Losa/Slab
3
Vigas/Beams
4
Vigas/Beams
Geometría
Geometry
Línea recta ortogonal
Straight Line Orthogonal
Línea recta ortogonal
Straight Line Orthogonal
Línea recta ortogonal
Straight Line Orthogonal
Línea recta ortogonal
Straight Line Orthogonal
Ancho (m)
Width(m)
5.00
Longitud (m)
Length (m)
13.00
8.00
7.50
6.20
38.20
4.50
16.00
Material
Acero/madera/suelo
Steel/wood/soil
Hormigón reforzado
Reinforced Concrete
Hormigón reforzado
Reinforced Concrete
Madera
Wood
Table 4. Datos generales de los puentes investigados
Table 4. General data of researched bridges
4.1 Bridge 1
This bridge is located adjacent to the Joaquim
Egídio road, and is a connection for the district
environmental station as well as for regional agricultural
farms. Its main traffic is constituted by cars and small
trucks. The bridge was built with steel girders and timber
logs, transversally, forming a grid for the slab (see Figure
2), composed of a layer of soil. The joints are constituted
of stone blocks and mortar.
Figura 2. Vista general del puente
Figure 2. Bridge overview
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
Figure 3 indicates the bridge with the steel
beams in extreme corrosion condition, which has already
lost a considerable part of its transversal section on the
tension region. The transversal timber logs are also in a
precarious condition, with great signs of decay because
of the continuous presence of moisture that is kept in the
soil layer and serves as a slab. Additional problems are
related to the joints which present visible cracks, indicating
excessive overloading than the design allows for. The
joints are partially unblocked due to erosion and poor
performance and also it is noted that the wooden guard
rails are in a precarious condition and may even fail with
small loads.
As a suggestion to improve or maintain the
structural function of the bridge is to replace the
superstructure of this bridge by a composite structure of
concrete and steel or wood. Thus, the concrete slab
contributes to the resistance would be beneficial as higher
load capacity and eliminate problems as vegetation on
the bridge and moisture retention, which causes the
rotting of logs.
Figura 3. Corrosión del acero
Figure 3. Steel corrosion
Figura 4. Deterioro del pavimento
Figure 4. Deck deterioration
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Nilson Tadeu Mascia, Artur Lenz Sartorti
4.2 Bridge 2
Located on Antônio Zaine Street, in the district
of Barão Geraldo, the bridge in Figure 4 is next to Rio
Branco School, presenting traffic with all kinds of
vehicles and at of the day the flow of traffic is very
intense due to the school. The entire structure is of
reinforced concrete with a structural system, a slabbridge, supported at the joints with reinforced concrete.
The span is small measuring only 7.5 m, but its total
width is 14.0 m including two crosswalks of 3.0 m each.
The joint structure presents large splits in many
parts, indicating that the lateral earth pressure is greater
than its strength capacity. Besides the pathological
deficiency, the conservation state of the bridge guard rails
and pavement are precarious. It is noticed that the drainage
of the bridge is not efficient.
The advanced degree of cracking indicates an
excessive effort. This type of pathology can cause danger
to society, especially students from nearby school. It is
urgent an intervention to strengthen the supports.
The other pathologies such as corrosion of the
reinforcement of the guard bodies and advanced
deterioration of the pavement are also of concern requiring
treatment. Note astate of relative neglect in the inspection
and maintenance of the bridge structure.
4.3 Bridge 3
Built over the Atibaia River, in the district of
Sousas, the bridge is the main connection between the
two district, without mentioning that this is the optimized
route to arrive the district of Joaquim Egídio. The bridge
serves as a constant pathway of cars, buses and trucks
according to Figure 5.
Figura 5. Vista del tráfico
Figure 5. Traffic view
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
The structure is of reinforced concrete, divided
into two parts. The slab covers a span of 38.2 m, and is
supported by the joints and a central pillar positioned in
the middle of the river. The traffic lane presents a 6.2 m
width, in which steel beams are fixed to support the
pedestrian sidewalks with an approximated width of 2.0
m and built with wooden board.
An inferior bridge part, the longitudinal members
are noted with a crescent variation in section along the
restraints (variation due to the greater shear in this region)
and transversal members that are connected monolithically
with a board slab.
Among the pathological problems found, it is
the excessive vibration noted when inspecting the bridge.
It is observed that some possible concrete leaching derive
mainly from the concrete permeability and drainage
deficiency. It is also noticeable that there is detachment
due to corrosion of steel reinforcement.
The steel members that support the walkway
are corroded, but not at an advance stage, and the
concrete slab is worn. The wood parts from the walkway
are deteriorated by a fungi action and presents significantly
risks for the pedestrians (see Figure 6).
This bridge is part of the heritage of the city of
Campinas and a risk to the population needing an urgent
maintenance. Corrosion of metal profiles requires treatment
of the substrate for removal of corrosion products and
impurities as well as applying anti-corrosive paints in
sections where it is necessary to replace material. The
replacement of much of the board of pieces of treated
wood also is required.
Figura 6. Estado de desintegración de la acera
Figure 6. State of decay of walkway
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Nilson Tadeu Mascia, Artur Lenz Sartorti
4.4 Bridge 4
Located in a lane of the road from Rhodia in
Barão Geraldo this bridge serves to connect the agricultural
areas, making it a place of constant passage of trucks. Its
board is made of longitudinal wood boards and its wood
logs and transverse members are used for the timber logs
as according to Figure 7. The bridge presents a span with
an extension of 16.0 m and width of the roadway 4.5 m
long.
Due to the precarious state of conservation of
the wooden logs, a steel transverse beam is positioned
in the middle of the span, supported by two steel cables
at each end and anchored in blocks of concrete in the
bridge headwater. It is noted in the visual inspection that
the cables present insufficient tension, therefore, it is able
to move them manually.
The logs are in a critical state of rot fungi and
the presence of moisture allowed for the appearance of
moss as shown in Figure 8.
The joints, built in reinforced concrete, have
regions with clusters of concrete caused by deficiencies
during construction. The bridge still has a lot of dirty,
especially in its transversal member indicating that the
water level rises to the slab increasing the risk of collapse
in time of floods.
The wood that provides the slab is still in a
reasonable state of conservation, but there are some
points of decay and repairs carried out in a poor manner,
making the bridge dangerous to local drivers and
pedestrians. The guard rails are also in a poor condition
with a low resistance capacity.
It is recommend for the maintenance of this
bridge that the cables to be properly protected from
corrosion and tensioned as well. In addition, the logs of
the guardrail should be replaced quickly.
Figura 7. Vista de la losa
Figure 7. View of the slab
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Patologías en puentes/Bridges pathologies
Figura 8. Desintegración de la madera de la estructura principal
Figure 8. Decay of wood of the main structure
5. Conclusions
This research provides important information
that is extremely relevant for the civil engineering,
specifically to the maintenance of the highway
infrastructure in an emerging country that should improve
the means of transport to increase its exports and its
economy. This fact could contribute to the human wellbeing of its population.
This article highlights the conditions of the
several bridges which are mostly inadequate for traffic
vehicular use. This fact is confirmed due to the expressive
number of serious pathologies found, providing evidence
of inefficiencies in planning, design and maintenance.
The literature review in which the paper was
based on expresses the importance of the design based
on solid principles, involving a multidisciplinary team in
order to evaluate all points be giving the design of the
bridges a functional, economical, aesthetic and
environmental character. It is also observed need for
technical knowledge concerning the study of structural
pathologies before carrying out an inspection. In the
aspect of durability, it is noted that the mapped pathologies
affect significantly the structure, as through them there
can arise another pathology which will reduce the service
life of a structure.
It is suggested for each present bridges that in
the most severe cases public agencies present viable
solutions such as the replacement of damaged structures
by new bridges acting in a rapid manner and with
efficiency in the implementation of such structures.
Finally, it was concluded that the best way to
avoid a pathological state is prevention. Preventive
maintenance is generated not only by a correct design
or by an implementation according to the quality
parameters, but also by a structural maintenance program.
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Nilson Tadeu Mascia, Artur Lenz Sartorti
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